Alarm Clock Wake-Up Control Using User Position Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional alarm systems fail to confirm the accuracy of user position detection, leading to potential misjudgment of wake-up times.

Innovation Solution

An alarm clock system that includes a sensor to detect the position of a user relative to a detection area, adjusting alarm sounds and image generation based on the user's movement and position, with different images and sounds generated depending on whether the user remains in or exits the detection area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the alarm clock continuously generates images regardless of sensor output in the first time period, then the display is always available to the user, but energy is wasted and the user cannot confirm detection accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser position detection accuracy confirmationVSAvoidenergy consumption during image generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes image generation behavior based on time period and sensor detection status. In the first time period (before alarm time), images are generated regardless of sensor output. In the second time period (after alarm time), sensor response image generation processing is executed. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing energy usage while maintaining information availability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses sensor detection feedback to control image generation. When the sensor detects the user's position, the system generates images in the second time period to confirm detection accuracy. This feedback mechanism ensures that energy is not wasted generating images when detection is uncertain, while still providing confirmation when the sensor indicates the user is present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the alarm clock uses sensor detection to determine wake-up timing, then wake-up accuracy can be improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewake-up timing accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the alarm clock's operation into distinct time periods (first time period before alarm time, second time period after alarm time) with different image generation behaviors. This segmentation simplifies the control logic by creating clear temporal boundaries for different operational modes, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies sensor response image generation processing selectively in the second time period rather than continuously. This partial action approach maintains wake-up timing accuracy by using sensor detection when most needed (after alarm time) while reducing system complexity through simplified control logic in the first time period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If different images are generated based on user position detection, then personalized wake-up experience is enhanced, but processing time and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonalized wake-up experienceVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs image generation in the first time period before the alarm time regardless of sensor output, preparing visual content in advance. This preliminary action reduces processing time during the actual wake-up moment while still enabling personalized experiences based on subsequent sensor detection in the second time period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances the accuracy of wake-up timing by adapting alarm sounds and visuals based on user presence and movement, ensuring timely and personalized wake-up experiences.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor, output of which changes in accordance with a position of a surrounding object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20260044122A1Alarm clock, control method, and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 NINTENDO CO LTD

AI summary

An alarm clock includes: a clock part configured to measure time; a sensor, output of which changes in accordance with a position of a surrounding object; a setting part configured to set a first time based on input by a user; an image generation part configured to generate an image; and a sound control part configured to play an alarm sound when a time measured by the clock part reaches a time determined in accordance with the first time. The image generation part generates an image regardless of output of the sensor in a first time period including a time before the first time, and executes sensor response image generation processing for generating an image in accordance with output of the sensor in a second time period which is different from the first time period.